Andy Enfield: "If you want to play slow, go to UCLA

[Muskie]

Link (http://collegebasketballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/10/16/usc-coach-andy-enfield-if-you-want-to-play-slow-go-to-ucla/)

That’s the biggest reason why so many people believe that Enfield is going to have quite a bit of success at his new job, USC. Southern California has quite a bit of talent currently in the high school ranks, and not only has Enfield landed two of the region’s best recruiters, he’s drilling it in his team’s head that they should be getting up and down the floor as much as possible.
It’s a stark contrast to that team across town, and Enfield isn’t afraid of making that fact known.
“We play up-tempo basketball here. If you want to play slow, go to UCLA,” Enfield told his players at a recent practice, according to the LA Times (http://www.mercurynews.com/sports/ci_24318258/coach-andy-enfield-takes-new-challenge-at-usc).
USC may struggle a bit this season as Enfield stocks the roster with the kind of talent that he wants and needs, but that’s quite the recruiting pitch, isn’t it?
____________

Jury is still out on whether this type of offense can win you a championship. I'm starting to dig Enfield's flair.

[American X]

USC normally uses a different method for successful recruitment.

http://tech.mn/images/pile-of-money.jpg

[Muskie]

USC normally uses a different method for successful recruitment.

http://tech.mn/images/pile-of-money.jpg
If you're talking success I believe you're talking football. The players for basketball haven't put them over the top.

[LA Muskie]

I wasn't aware there were any USC basketball players who could make the UCLA squad.

[ammtd34]

Mayo got paid, but it didn't bring the program much success. I do like Enfield's method, though.

[joe titan]

Sounds as if Paul Westhead from Marymount days should be on staff.

[X-band '01]

It just reeks of a ploy to sell tickets to USC. I get that it's LA and that they're not going to succeed winning Wisconsin style, however.

[LA Muskie]

It just reeks of a ploy to sell tickets to USC. I get that it's LA and that they're not going to succeed winning Wisconsin style, however.

They're not selling tickets regardless. USC basketball is probably below the LA Sparks on the LA sports totem pole.

[X-band '01]

Also true, even with their coach's rocket wife.

[GoMuskies]

I'd rather have Enfield running my program than Alford. And I don't mean that as a compliment to Enfield.

[xudash]

They're not selling tickets regardless. USC basketball is probably below the LA Sparks on the LA sports totem pole.

Is that something like a luxury: build a new facility, no one shows up, even probably now with a new solid coach who is trying to build the program, and you shrug your shoulders and go back to worrying about the football team and the number of parking spaces on campus to contain all the underclassman BMW's.

At least I'll always get a kick out of the fact that USC is very close to Watts and that UCLA camps out in Westwood.

[xubrew]

I've never lived in LA, but a friend of mine who used to work out there had an interesting way of putting it.

Fans in most cities cheer for teams. In LA, they cheer for stars. They cheer for fads. That's what UCLA was in the Wooden days. That's what the Showtime Lakers were. That's what the Raiders were. That's what USC was under Pete Carroll. There is not really a contingency of diehard fans for any particular team or school.

So, if there is any truth to that theory, if USC can win and be exciting while they're winning, then LA will come out in droves.

[paulxu]

They don't have to win. He just has to bring his spouse to sit courtside.

[LA Muskie]

I've never lived in LA, but a friend of mine who used to work out there had an interesting way of putting it.

Fans in most cities cheer for teams. In LA, they cheer for stars. They cheer for fads. That's what UCLA was in the Wooden days. That's what the Showtime Lakers were. That's what the Raiders were. That's what USC was under Pete Carroll. There is not really a contingency of diehard fans for any particular team or school.

So, if there is any truth to that theory, if USC can win and be exciting while they're winning, then LA will come out in droves.
That may be true to an extent, but I don't think it flows that far down. In other words, LA will come out in droves for a successful LA Lakers team and a successful USC football team. But that's honestly about it. LA didn't come out in droves to see UCLA when it was in the Final Four three years in a row. And I don't see LA coming out in droves to watch a basketball game on-campus at USC, regardless how much they are winning. Especially while the Lakers and the Clippers (now relevant) in-season.

[LA Muskie]

They don't have to win. He just has to bring his spouse to sit courtside.

This is LA. She is a dime a dozen here. I can walk down the street to Starbucks and see three of her equivalents. Behind the counter.

[paulxu]

Yes, but if you sat across from them for 3 hours and stared, maybe you would get arrested.
Then again, LA and all, maybe not.

[LA Muskie]

Yes, but if you sat across from them for 3 hours and stared, maybe you would get arrested.
Then again, LA and all, maybe not.
Likely. Unless you said you were a "producer." In which case you would end up with a "date."

[American X]

Fans in most cities cheer for teams. In LA, they cheer for stars. They cheer for fads. That's what UCLA was in the Wooden days. That's what the Showtime Lakers were. That's what the Raiders were. That's what USC was under Pete Carroll. There is not really a contingency of diehard fans for any particular team or school.

Reminds me of the oblivious, logic-defying creature that permeates Los Angeles - The USC Football/UCLA Basketball Fan.

[LA Muskie]

Reminds me of the oblivious, logic-defying creature that permeates Los Angeles - The USC Football/UCLA Basketball Fan.
Which is just about every sports fan in LA. At least superficially. (Most have never been to a game for either.)